Interview With Angel "El Toro" Hernandez

BY Ed Ludwig

05.01 - I had the pleasure of speaking with Angel "El Toro" Hernandez following his workout at the Windy City Gym in Chicago. Hernandez (20-2 15 KO's) is set to challenge J.C. Candelo (24-3-3 18 KO's) for the vacant NABF Jr. Middleweight Title on Saturday January 12th in Las Vegas. This bout will be the co-feature leading up to the Acelino Freitas vs. Joel Casamayor unification showdown. Angel Hernandez began his boxing career at the age of eighteen after watching his cousin train. He is trained by Sam Colonna and promoted by Bobby Hitz. In his most recent bout, Hernandez stopped rugged veteran Frankie "The Surgeon" Randall in the fourth round. Originally from Mexico, Hernandez and his family have relocated to Chicago where he lives and trains. 2002 could be his breakout year.

Ed Ludwig: How has your training been going in preparation for your upcoming bout with J.C. Candelo?

Angel Hernandez: It has been very good. I have been training very hard for this because it is the biggest fight of my life and I want to be 100%.

EL: What do you expect from Candelo once the bell rings?

AH: He is an awkward puncher and a very smart boxer. I expect a good fight from him.

EL: Is there any added pressure for you because of the publicity surrounding the Freitas vs. Casamayor unification bout?

AH: It's no different from any other fight card and there is no pressure for me as I am very confident and ready to go.

EL: Should you defeat Candelo, would you like a rematch with Roshii Wells or do you have other plans?

AH: There are a lot of good fighters up there and he is not the only one. It's possible but I would like to step up in competition.

EL: After your fight with Wells was stopped due to cuts, did you agree with the stoppage or did you feel that you could continue?

AH: I felt that I could have continued because it was not a big cut and I believe that I would have finished Wells off in another round or two. The doctor said that I could not go on and rules are rules.

EL: You stopped Frankie Randall in your last bout. Many people, myself included, think Randall should retire. Do you agree?

AH: Yes, because of his age and current losing streak. It is time for him to quit.

EL: It has been reported that you would like to square off against Fernando Vargas in the future, is that your dream fight?

AH: He's not really my dream fight but he is the kind of guy I would like to meet in the ring one day because of our styles and I think it would be a great match up.

EL: Tell me about your amateur background?

AH: I had thirty amateur fights and I was (27-3 11KO'S) and I won the Golden Gloves in the Chicago District.

EL: Your pro career started when you were eighteen, what memories do you have from your first fight?

AH: In my first pro fight, I knocked out my opponent in thirty seconds. It was a good win even though it ended quickly.

EL: Which boxer, past or present do you compare yourself with style wise?

AH: I am not sure about right now. When I was younger many people compared me to Tony Ayala, "The Bull".

EL: Who is your boxing idol?

AH: I would say Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley. Mosley has everything and he is the complete package. He is a good guy with a nice smile.

EL: Where do you have your training camp?

AH: The Windy City Gym in Chicago.

EL: Wilfredo Rivera has been a very tough opponent for Pernell Whitaker on two occasions and he knocked down Fernando Vargas. What was it like facing Rivera and what did you learn from the fight?

AH: Rivera for me was one of the best fighters around at the time. I was not ready mentally but physically I was. Even though I lost by decision it was one of my best fights. When we fought I did not even know who he was until we stepped into the ring. I have learned to use my mind and be a smart fighter. I am very confident and I don't think anyone can knock me down and I am ready each time out. My first ten fights did not involve much scouting but now I am always prepared.

EL: Would you like to return to Mexico and fight there one day?

AH: One of the things I really want to do is fight in Mexico City. When I become champion of the world I will defend my title over there.

EL: What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

AH: When I won the IBA championship against Julio De La Cruz. I was very happy and having a great trainer and promoter makes it very special for me.

EL: What is in the future for you?

AH: Possibly a bout with Santos Cardona and then the worlds best.

EL: Do you plan on staying at 154 for the balance of your career?

AH: I had my first ten fights at 147 before moving up to 154. I feel the better competition is at Jr. Middleweight. I plan to have three more fights before moving back down to 147.

EL: Will you stay involved with boxing once your career is over?

AH: I will always be close to the sport of boxing. It is a way of life for me but I plan on going to school and study business.

For more information on Angel "El Toro" Hernandez, please visit BobbyHitzboxingPromotions.com

Be sure to watch the ESPN and ESPN2 twin bill on the January 25th edition of Friday Night Fights from Rosemont, IL. Budweiser in association with Bobby Hitz Boxing Promotions, Inc present Reggie Johnson (42-6-1 26 KO's) vs. Antonio Tarver (18-1 16 KO's) and Teddy Reid (19-4-1 13 KO's) vs. Ben Tackie (23-2 14 KO's).

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J.C. CANDELO VS ANGEL HERNANDEZ FOR VACANT NABF 154-POUND TITLE ON JANUARY 12

03.01 - In one of the chief supporting bouts for the Acelino Freitas vs Joel Casamayor world title unification main event, J.C. Candelo, 23-3-3, 17 KOs, a native of Colombia now based in Denver, Co., will challenge Angel "Toro" Hernandez, 20-2, 15 KOs, of Chicago, Il., for the vacant North American Boxing Federation super welterweight title, scheduled for 12 rounds.

Now 28 years old, J.C. Candelo is on a hot streak - he has won six fights in a row against tough opposition, perhaps the most impressive performance over the last two years of any 154-pound contender in the world. With those wins, he has skyrocketed in the world ratings and is currently ranked No. 4 by the World Boxing Council and the International Boxing Federation, and No. 7 by the World Boxing Association.

26-year old Angel Hernandez has also stepped up in class in the last two years, and is 7-1 in his last eight fights. A relentlessly aggressive fighter with a exciting style, he has impressive wins against former two-time world champion Frankie Randall (55-9-1) and contender Anthony Jones (45-10-2). The one loss in his last eight fights was due to a cut.

MAIN EVENT - 12 ROUNDS, JR. LIGHTWEIGHTS - WBO, WBA TITLES ACELINO FREITAS VS JOEL CASAMAYOR 30-0, 29 KOs, Salvador, Braz. 26-0, 16 KOs, Miami Lakes, Fl.

10 ROUNDS, HEAVYWEIGHTS DAVID TUA VS PHIL JACKSON 39-3, 34 KOs, S. Auckland, N.Z. 43-10, 38 KOs, Miami, Fl.

10 ROUNDS, FEATHERWEIGHTS WAYNE McCULLOUGH VS ALVIN BROWN 23-3, 14 KOs, Las Vegas, Nv. 17-4, 6 KOs, Kansas City, Mo.

12 ROUNDS, SUPER FLYWEIGHTS - NABF TITLE OSCAR ANDRADE VS CARLOS MADRIGAL 26-21-1, 14 KOs, Durango, Mex. 18-2, 13 KOs, Oxnard, Ca.

6 ROUNDS, FEATHERWEIGHTS - FEMALES LAURA SERRANO VS BRENDA VICKERS 13-0-2, 4 KOs, Mexico City, Mex. 4-4, 1 KO, Tampa, Fl.

6 ROUNDS, JR. FEATHERWEIGHTS ARTYOM SIMONYAN VS DAVID VAZQUEZ 7-0, 4 KOs, Glendale, Ca. 17-8-2, 10 KOs, Blythe, Ca.

6 ROUNDS, CRUISERWEIGHTS FELIX CORA VS TBA 6-0, 5 KOs, Galveston, Tex.

4 ROUNDS, LIGHTWEIGHTS RAY SANCHEZ III VS TBA 3-0, 3 KOs, Albuquerque, N.M.

4 ROUNDS, FEATHERWEIGHTS BERNARD DUNNE VS TBA 1-0, 1 KO, Dublin, Ire.

TICKET PRICES: $30, $55, $105. TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: Thomas & Mack Ticket Office, and all Tickets.com outlets, charge by phone at 1-888-464-2468, or purchase online at www.tickets.com.